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Heartfelt Triumph for Appalachian State in First Home Game Following Helene's Return

Heartfelt Win for Appalachian State in First Home Game Following Helene's Return


Heartfelt Triumph for Appalachian State in First Home Game Following Helene's Return | Picks n' Previews

Joey Aguilar was aware that Appalachian State's first home game in over a month was a significant event for a region that had been greatly affected by Hurricane Helene last month.

However, the quarterback for the Mountaineers was still taken aback by the emotions he witnessed firsthand on Saturday as the team returned to their stadium in Boone, N.C. and secured a 33-26 victory over Georgia State.

\"We were playing for a cause larger than ourselves,\" Aguilar stated after playing in front of a crowd of 33,783 at Kidd Brewer Stadium. \"This triumph is not just for the team and the program, but for the entire community. It gives everyone a chance to escape reality and find joy after the disaster we experienced.\"

On September 27, Hurricane Helene struck the area and caused destruction in towns throughout western North Carolina, including Asheville and Boone. The Mountaineers' game against Liberty on September 28 was cancelled, making Saturday's game the first time the players were able to play on their home field since September 19.

In addition, officials in North Carolina reported that the death toll from the storm has reached 98 in the state.

The App State campus was also affected by flooding and storm damage from the hurricane. Classes resumed on October 16, but repairs are still ongoing.

However, fifth-year coach Shawn Clark saw the home game as a step towards returning to normalcy in an area that is still recovering from the devastating storm.

\"Just like our community has been fighting to regain some sense of normalcy in their lives over the past four weeks, our program is doing the same,\" Clark stated after the win. \"Our community is fully behind us, and we are fully behind our community. It will still be a long road to recovery for our community, and we will be there every step of the way. I am incredibly proud of everyone involved in our program and I hope that today's victory gave everyone in western North Carolina and Watauga County something to be proud of.\"

Next Saturday, the Mountaineers (3-4, 1-3 Sun Belt) will play at home again against Old Dominion.

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